The code is a substantially modified version of a SparkFun repository, which they provide on the order page for the tilt sensor.  I had to reverse engineer the wiring for the sensor from the frustratingly short video on that order page.  After I had it operational, the next challenge was to integrate some variables for debugging, and add a publish function so that the alerts would be logged and viewable remotely.  This was accomplished using experience from our class tutorials.  The final step was to wire up a kill switch, so that the alerts could be disabled while at home.  After some digging in the lab, I found one latching button.  About a dozen configurations later, Steffen helped me solve the floating voltage issues and I had a solid on/off signal.  A few more lines of code to define the status of the switch (and add it to the IF statements) and the device was fully operational.